The Absorption and Excretion of Castor Oil in Man

Abstract

Abstract Contrary to popular belief castor oil can be absorbed by human subjects. The absorption is inversely related to the dose and in small (4 g.) doses absorption is virtually complete. The fat balance studies were made both by the radio-iodine labelling of castor oil and by a new chemical technique, which utilises the rapid detection of ricinoleic acid by gas-liquid chromatography on a silicone gum column and incorporates an improved method for the collection, preparation and extraction of faecal lipid.